Flowers are one of the meaningful gifts and liveliest decorations for nearly any occasion, all year ’round. Places such as offices and homes are more comfortable and lively when flowers are used as decorations. These gifts of nature smell and look fantastic, which makes them so great. They have unique shapes, bright colors, and they have the most wonderful scents only nature can give.

The only problem? Fresh flowers don’t stay fresh for long especially if you don’t take care of them well. Not all of us are florists and gardeners, here are some ways to extend the life of your arrangements:

- Whenever possible, use floral foam or flower food in your vases instead of plain water. These can be purchased from and/or provided by your florist.

- If the flower food solution becomes cloudy, replace it completely. Same goes for those who are using plain water; replacing it daily with fresh water is a must.

- If floral foam is unavailable, you can make your own makeshift flower freshener. Simply mix a teaspoon of bleach, a tablespoon of sugar, and a gallon of water. Mix well and you have flower food. If these ingredients are unavailable, try mixing a 12-ounce can of clear, non-diet soda (like Sprite or 7-Up) with half a gallon of water. The soda’s acidity will slow down growth of bacteria in the water, while the sugar will “feed” the plant.

- Re-cut your flower stems at a 45-degree angle using a sharp cutting tool, such as a sharp knife, good pair of scissors, or pruning shears. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle, and do this underwater. This allows the stems to draw in water instead of air and the increased surface area from the 45-degree cut allows for improved water/solution absorption.

- Some flowers generally last longer than others. Once they wilt, take them from the vase.

- Remove leaves that will be below the vase’s waterline, because leaves in water tend to promote bacterial growth.

- Keep flowers in a cool, dry spot, in approximately 65 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. It is recommended to keep them away from direct sunlight, heating or cooling vents, directly under ceiling fans, or on top of televisions or radiators, to avoid premature dehydration and wilting.

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